TELEHEALTH HAS MET THE REALITY OF MEDICAL BILLING

 

There’s No Such Thing as a Casual Interaction With Your Doctor Anymore

Many calls and messages now count as a “visit” that you could be charged for.

By Zoya Qureshi

The pandemic initiated a slew of transformations, and though many have not stuck, one indisputably has: Telehealth is booming in America. This golden age of electronic engagement has one massive benefit—doctors are more accessible than ever. Unfortunately, this virtue is also proving to be telehealth’s biggest problem. For patients, being able to reach their doctors by video visit, phone call, or email is incredibly convenient, but physicians have been overwhelmed by the constant communication. This cost is now being shifted back to the patients, and almost every interaction with a doctor, no matter how casual, counts as some form of “visit” now.

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